Heel-lock shoe

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention relate to footwear. The footwear may comprise a sole for supporting a foot and vamp means for extending from the sole. A heel restraint may extend from either side of the vamp means. The heel restraint may comprise biasing means for biasing the heel restraint to extend around the upper heel of the foot so that the foot is restrained from slipping from the footwear. The heel restraint may be able to be moved from the upper heel and toward the sole so that the foot can be slipped from the footwear. The footwear of the present invention, in many embodiments, is less prone to cause discomfort than other known footwear, owing to the fact that the heel restraint extends from the vamp means.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to footwear.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that theprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Footwear is widely used for protecting feet. Footwear comes in a varietyof different forms including, for example, shoes, boots and slippers.

The applicant has perceived a need for footwear which can restrain thefoot when in use, yet can enable the foot to be either more readilyinserted into or slipped from the footwear without using hands orhand-operated tools.

FIG. 1 of DE 196 11 797 discloses such a shoe including a sole forsupporting a foot, and a vamp for covering the instep of the foot tohold the shoe onto the foot. A heel restraint extends from either sideof the sole and around the upper heel of the foot so that the foot isrestrained from slipping rearward from the shoe. However, in practice,the shoe is uncomfortable to wear and the heel restraint may causeblistering about the upper heel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide alternative footwearto that of FIG. 1 of DE 196 11 797.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is providedfootwear comprising:

a sole for supporting a foot;

vamp means for extending from the sole; and

a heel restraint for extending from either side of the vamp means, theheel restraint comprising biasing means for biasing the heel restraintto extend around the upper heel of the foot so that the foot isrestrained from slipping from the footwear, the heel restraintconfigured to be moved from the upper heel and toward the sole so thatthe foot can be slipped from the footwear;

wherein the heel restraint comprises a heel strap and the biasing meansis integrally formed with the heel strap.

The heel restraint extends from the vamp means which is elevated withrespect to the sole. Accordingly, the free end of the heel restraint canmore freely move when the foot moves within the footwear during walkingand is less prone to cause discomfort to the heel, than if the heelrestraint otherwise extended from the sole thereby increasing the acuteangle between the sole and the heel restraint. Furthermore when stepsare taken, the heel restraint applies less pressure to the heel, than ifthe heel restraint otherwise extends from the sole.

Preferably, the heel restraint is configured to pivot proximal to thevamp means. The user can readily pivot the heel restraint from the upperheel and toward the sole so that the foot can be slipped from thefootwear.

Preferably, the biasing means biases the heel restraint to extend aroundthe top of the heel. Preferably, the heel restraint can lock the footwithin the footwear.

The heel restraint may extend from the vamp means such that a plane ofthe heel restraint approaches an orthogonal relationship with atangential plane of the upper heel. The heel restraint may extend fromthe vamp means and contact the heel to form a comfortable fit.

The heel restraint may further comprise a stiffener for stiffening theheel strap. The heel strap may be mounted directly to the vamp means.The biasing means may comprise a pair of neck portions on either side ofthe heel strap about which the heel strap can pivot.

The heel restraint may be substantially resistant to lateral bendingwhen it is moved downwards from the upper heel and toward the sole.Preferably, the heel restraint can be rotated downwards from the upperheel and toward the sole. The heel restraint may substantially maintainits shape when it is moved along the heel and toward the sole.

In one embodiment, the vamp means comprises a single vamp extending fromeither side of the sole and for retaining the foot between the sole andthe vamp. The vamp may be made from leather, fabric or plastic.

In another embodiment, the vamp means comprises two separated insteprestraints each extending from either side of the sole. A first one ofthe instep restraints may be located distal from the toes of the footand comprise instep biasing means for biasing the first instep restraintto extend around the upper instep of the foot.

The first instep restraint may comprise a first instep strap. The vampmeans may further comprise a pair of anchor tabs extending from the soleand to which the heel and first instep restraints are pivotallyanchored. The instep biasing means may comprise at least one torsionalspring located between the first instep strap and the anchor tabs. Theinstep biasing means may comprise a pair of torsional springs fast withrespective anchor tabs. Alternatively, the first instep strap, instepbiasing means and anchor tabs may be integrally formed.

A second one of the instep restraints may be located proximal to thetoes of the foot and comprise a second instep strap extending fromeither side of the sole.

The footwear may further comprise a waterproof heel cover that canextend between the heel restraint and the sole.

The footwear may comprise any one of the following group: low shoes,shoe, slipper, sandal, mule, slide, scuff, backless sandal, slip-on,athletic shoe or similar.

The footwear may or may not comprise a tongue.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided footwear comprising:

a sole for supporting a foot;

an upper for extending from the sole; and

a foot restraint for extending from the upper, the foot restraintcomprising a biasing arrangement for biasing the foot restraint toextend behind the upper rear portion of the foot so that the foot isrestrained from slipping rearward from the footwear, the foot restraintconfigured to be moved toward the sole so that the foot can be slippedfrom the footwear;

wherein the foot restraint comprises a foot strap and the biasingarrangement is integrally formed with the foot strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discernedfrom the following Detailed Description which provides sufficientinformation for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. TheDetailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of thepreceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Descriptionwill make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a side view of footwear in accordance with a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a side view of the Footwear of FIG. 1 showing a foot beingslipped into the footwear;

FIG. 3 b is a side view of the Footwear of FIG. 1 showing a foot beingslipped from the footwear;

FIG. 4 is a side view of footwear in accordance with a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of footwear of FIG. 4 showing insertion of a footinto the footwear;

FIG. 6 is a side view of footwear in accordance with a third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the footwear of FIG. 6 showing the pivotalmovement of the rear instep restraint;

FIG. 8 is yet another side view of the footwear of FIG. 6 with the heelremoved from the footwear;

FIG. 9 is a side view of footwear in accordance with a fourth embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of footwear in accordance with a fifth embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a sandal 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sandal 2 includes arubber sole 4 for supporting a foot 6, and a leather vamp 8 extendingfrom either side of the sole 4. The vamp 8 retains the foot 6 betweenthe sole 4 and the vamp 8 in use. The sandal 2 further includes apivotal heel restraint 10 which extends from either side of the vamp 8and around the upper heel 12 of the foot 6 so that the foot 6 isrestrained from slipping rearward from the footwear 2 and is effectivelylocked into the footwear 2. Referring to FIG. 1, the heel restraint 10can be pivoted downward from the upper heel 12 and toward the sole 4(see dashed lines) so that a small gap 14 may be formed between the heelrestraint 10 and the heel 12. Accordingly, the foot 6 can then morereadily slip or be slipped from the footwear 2 without significantimpediment.

The heel restraint 10 includes biasing means in the form of a pair ofdiscrete torsional springs 16 a, 16 b mounted on either side of the vamp8 so that they are co-incident with a pivot axis 18 of the heelrestraint 10. Each discrete spring 16 may be in the form of a resilientbar or leaf spring and is mounted between the vamp 8 and a heel strap 20of the heel restraint 10 so that the heel restraint 10 can undergopivotal motion. The biasing means biases the heel restraint 10 in anorientation so as to extend around the upper heel 12 or heel top of thefoot 6 as shown in FIG. 1.

The heel restraint 10 includes the arcuate heel strap 20 which, in turn,is made from leather. The heel restraint 10 further includes a plasticstiffener 22 mounted to the outside of the heel strap 20 so that theheel restraint 10 is stiffened. As shown in FIG. 1, the heel restraint10 is substantially resistant to lateral bending when it is rotated downfrom the upper heel 12 and toward the sole 4 (see dashed lines).Accordingly, the heel restraint 10 substantially maintains its shapewhen it is moved along the heel 12 and toward the sole 4.

The heel restraint 10 extends from the vamp 8 which is elevated withrespect to the sole 4. Accordingly, the free end of the heel restraint10 can more freely move when the foot 6 moves within the sandal 2 duringwalking and is less prone to cause discomfort to the heel 12, than ifthe heel restraint 10 otherwise extended from the sole 4 therebyincreasing the acute angle between the sole 4 and the heel restraint 10.Furthermore, the heel restraint 10 applies less pressure to the heel 12owing to the cyclic action of the foot 6 during walking, than if theheel restraint 10 otherwise extended from the sole 4.

Operation of the sandal 2 will now be described with reference to FIG.3.

Turning firstly to FIG. 3 a, the sole of the foot 6 initially pressesdown on the free end of the heel restraint 10 which causes the heelrestraint 10 to retract toward the sole 4. The user fully slips his orher foot 6 into the vamp 8 and the heel restraint 10 then springs backaway from the sole 4 so that the heel restraint 10 extends around theupper heel 12 of the foot 6. The foot 6 is then locked securely into thefootwear 2 and is restrained from slipping from the footwear 2.Accordingly, the insertion of the foot 6 into the footwear can bereadily achieved without the need to use the hands (or a hand operatedtool such as a shoe horn) which would undesirably require the user tostoop.

Referring to FIG. 3 b, the user can use a toe 24 of his or her otherfoot (or another shoe) to retract the heel restraint 10 toward the sole4. Pushing the foot 6 a small distance into the footwear 2 may assist increating a gap 14 between the heel restraint 10 and the heel 12. Thefoot 6 is no longer locked into the footwear 2 and can then more readilyslip from the footwear 2. Accordingly, the release of the foot 6 fromthe footwear can be readily achieved without the need to use the hands(or a hand operated tool such as a shoe horn) which would undesirablyrequire the user to stoop.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5where like reference numerals refer to like features previouslydescribed. The heel restraint 10 extends directly from either side ofthe vamp 8 and includes a heel strap 23. The biasing means include apair of discrete springs 16 mounted on either side of the rear of thesingle vamp 8. In turn, the heel strap 23 is mounted to the springs 16so that the springs 16 are located between the vamp 8 and the heel strap23.

The springs 16 are mounted at a distance 27 above the sole 4 so that aplane 26 of the heel restraint 10 approaches an orthogonal relationshipwith the skin surface (or a tangential plane 25) of the top of the heel12. In practice, the angle between the plane 26 of the heel restraint 10and the skin surface (or tangential plane 25) of the top of the heel 12is greater than 70°. Because of this near orthogonal relationshipcombined with the pivotal mounting of the strap 23, a comfortable and asafe fit of the foot 6 within the footwear 2 is provided. In particular,the inner surface or apex of the heel strap 23 hugs the top of the heel12 and thereby provides a comfortable fit.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stiff heel restraint 10 may define a neckportion 30 about which it can pivot so that the centre of rotation islocated proximal to the vamp 8.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8where like reference numerals refer to like features previouslydescribed. The footwear 2 includes vamp means 32 (or an upper) forpartially covering the instep of the foot 6. The vamp means 32 includestwo separated instep restraints 8 a, 8 b each extending from either sideof the sole 2. The rear instep restraint 8 a is located distal from thetoes of the foot 6 and includes instep biasing means 29 for biasing therear instep restraint 8 a to extend around the upper instep of the foot6.

The rear instep restraint 8 a is of similar construction to the heelrestraint 10 described in detail above. Accordingly, the rear insteprestraint 8 a includes a rear instep strap 40. The vamp means 32 furtherincludes a pair of anchor tabs 34 extending from opposite sides of thesole 4 and to which the heel restraint 10 and rear instep restraint 32are pivotally anchored. The instep biasing means 29 includes a pair oftorsional springs fast with respective anchor tabs 34.

Turning to FIG. 7, the rear instep restraint 8 a can be pivoted forward(from rear position R to forward position F) toward the toes of the foot6 when the foot 6 is inserted into or removed from the footwear 2. Thiscompliance of the restraint 8 a particularly facilitates insertion ofthe foot 6 into footwear 2 which includes orthotic (or orthopedic)soles. Upon insertion of the foot 6, the biasing means 29 pivots therestraint 8 a rearward to position R once again and, together with theheel restraint 10, securely locks the foot 6 within the footwear 2. Inthis manner, the footwear 2 has a safety fit when the foot is restrainedin use, so that movement of the foot 6 relative to the footwear 2 isminimized and the foot 6 is prevented from involuntarily slippingrearward from the footwear 2.

The front instep restraint 8 b is located proximal to the toes of thefoot 6 and includes a front instep strap extending directly from eitherside of the sole 4.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9 wherelike reference numerals refer to like features previously described. Thebiasing means, for biasing the heel restraint 10 to extend around theupper heel of the foot 6, includes a pair of resilient stretchable (e.g.woven elastic) fabric portions 50 extending between the heel restraint10 and the vamp 8. The fabric portions 50 are located on respectivesides of the footwear 2.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10 wherelike reference numerals refer to like features previously described. Alimp waterproof heel cover 52 or fabric panel can extend between theheel restraint 10 and the sole 4. The heel cover 52 is sewn about itsperiphery to the footwear 2.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments andvariations can be made without departing from the ambit of the presentinvention.

In the some embodiments, the heel restraint 10 extends from the vamp 8.The user can readily pivot the heel restraint 10 from the upper heel 12and toward the sole 4 so that the foot can be slipped from the sandal 2.The intersection point (and pivot axis 18) of the heel restraint 10 withthe vamp 8 can be varied.

In the first embodiment, the vamp 8 was made from leather.Alternatively, the vamp 8 may be made from fabric or plastic. Similarly,in the first embodiment, the heel strap 20 was made from leather.Alternatively, the heel strap 20 may be made from fabric or plastic.

In the first embodiment, the biasing means included a pair of torsionalsprings 16 a,b. In an alternative embodiment, the biasing means mayinclude only one of the springs 16. The springs 16 may be made fromrubber, plastic, metal or other suitable resiliently flexible material.

The first embodiment related to a sandal, however, the present inventioncan be equally applied to other forms of footwear such as shoes,slippers, sandals, sport shoes, runners, mules, slides, scuffs, backlesssandals, slip-ons, athletic shoes or similar.

In some embodiments, the sole 4 was made from rubber. However, inalternative embodiments, the sole may be made from plastic or leather.

In the first embodiment, a gap 14 was formed between the heel restraint10 and the heel 12. In an alternative embodiment, this gap 14 need notbe formed.

In one embodiment with reference to FIG. 5, the heel restraint 10 may beintegrally formed (or molded) from a resilient rubber strip or moulding,and therefore the biasing means may be integrally (or homogeneously)formed with the heel strap 23. The biasing means can include a pair ofneck (or narrowing) portions on either side of the heel restraint 10about which the heel restraint 10 can pivot.

In another embodiment with reference to FIG. 8, the rear insteprestraint 8 a may be integrally formed from a resilient rubber strip ormoulding. Accordingly, the rear instep strap 40, instep biasing means 29and anchor tabs 34 may be integrally formed. The heel restraint 10 maybe of similar construction to that previously described in the precedingparagraph and may be integrally formed with the rear instep restraint 8a.

In one embodiment with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the heel restraint10 may be pivotally affixed to the vamp 8 using pins or rivets. Thefootwear may or may not include a tongue.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in language more or less specific to structural or methodicalfeatures. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited tospecific features shown or described since the means herein describedcomprises some of a plurality of forms of putting the invention intoeffect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of specification and the appendedclaims as appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

1. Footwear comprising: a sole for supporting a foot; vamp means forextending from the sole; and a heel restraint for extending from eitherside of the vamp means, the heel restraint comprising biasing means forbiasing the heel restraint to extend around the upper heel of the footso that the foot is restrained from slipping from the footwear, the heelrestraint configured to be moved from the upper heel and toward the soleso that the foot can be slipped from the footwear; wherein the heelrestraint comprises a heel strap and the biasing means is integrallyformed with the heel strap.
 2. Footwear as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe heel restraint is configured to pivot proximal to the vamp means. 3.Footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heel restraint extends fromthe vamp means such that a plane of the heel restraint approaches anorthogonal relationship with a tangential plane of the upper heel. 4.Footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heel restraint comprises astiffener for stiffening the heel strap.
 5. Footwear as claimed in claim1, wherein the biasing means comprises a pair of neck portions on eitherside of the heel strap about which the heel strap can pivot.
 6. Footwearas claimed in claim 1, wherein the footwear is a sandal.
 7. Footwear asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a limp heel cover that can extendbetween the heel restraint and the sole.
 8. Footwear as claimed in claim1, wherein the vamp means comprises a single vamp extending from eitherside of the sole and for retaining the foot between the sole and thevamp.
 9. Footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vamp meanscomprises two separated instep restraints each extending from eitherside of the sole, a first one of the instep restraints being locateddistal from the toes of the foot and comprising instep biasing means forbiasing the first instep restraint to extend around the upper instep ofthe foot, a second one of the instep restraints being located proximalto the toes of the foot and comprising a second instep strap extendingfrom either side of the sole.
 10. Footwear comprising: a sole forsupporting a foot; an upper for extending from the sole; and a footrestraint for extending from the upper, the foot restraint comprising abiasing arrangement for biasing the foot restraint to extend behind theupper rear portion of the foot so that the foot is restrained fromslipping rearward from the footwear, the foot restraint configured to bemoved toward the sole so that the foot can be slipped from the footwearwherein the foot restraint comprises a foot strap and the biasingarrangement is integrally formed with the foot strap.
 11. Footwear asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the foot restraint is configured to pivotproximal to the upper.
 12. Footwear as claimed in claim 12, wherein thefoot restraint extends from the upper such that a plane of the footrestraint approaches an orthogonal relationship with a tangential planeof the upper rear portion of the foot.
 13. Footwear as claimed in claim12, wherein the foot restraint comprises stiffener for stiffening thefoot strap.
 14. Footwear as claimed in claim 10, wherein the biasingarrangement comprises a pair of neck portions on either side of the footstrap about which the foot strap can pivot.
 15. Footwear as claimed inclaim 10, further comprising a limp heel cover that can extend betweenthe foot restraint and the sole.
 16. Footwear as claimed in claim 10,wherein the upper comprises a vamp extending from either side of thesole and for retaining the foot between the sole and the vamp. 17.Footwear as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper comprises twoseparated instep restraints each extending from either side of the sole.18. Footwear substantially as herein described with reference to FIG. 5.